Match Preview: Leinster Rugby vs ASM Clermont Auvergne
by Jim O'Connor, 2024-12-14
Last week was one of the strangest games we've seen in a long while.
Most of the first half was pure dross. Neither team covered themselves in glory with constant handling errors in the windy and wet conditions. But the influence of referee Pierre Brousset was most to bear as he delivered a frustrating and just plain odd performance. The first thirty minutes just seemed to be knock-on, scrum, scrum penalty/free kick, rinse and repeat.
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Most of the first half was pure dross. Neither team covered themselves in glory with constant handling errors in the windy and wet conditions. But the influence of referee Pierre Brousset was most to bear as he delivered a frustrating and just plain odd performance. The first thirty minutes just seemed to be knock-on, scrum, scrum penalty/free kick, rinse and repeat.
moreMatch Preview: Bristol Bears vs Leinster Rugby
by Jim O'Connor, 2024-12-06
It's Champions Cup time again!
After losing three finals in a row, hopefully the fourth time's the charm for Leinster! And this season they've got Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman along for the ride, so surely this should tip them over the edge? Well, we'll see.
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After losing three finals in a row, hopefully the fourth time's the charm for Leinster! And this season they've got Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman along for the ride, so surely this should tip them over the edge? Well, we'll see.
moreMatch Preview: Ulster Rugby vs Leinster Rugby
by Jim O'Connor, 2024-11-29
After a five week break. Leinster are back with an interpro derby in Belfast.
But the game is overshadowed by the Ireland game against Australia the following day. The timing of that game is disruptive to the provinces not just this weekend, but potentially for the first round of the Champions Cup next week too. The likes of Andrew Porter, Joe McCarthy, Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier have started the last four weeks. It's unlikely that the IRFU will sign off on them starting a fifth week in a row away to Bristol so that could impact Leinster's chances.
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But the game is overshadowed by the Ireland game against Australia the following day. The timing of that game is disruptive to the provinces not just this weekend, but potentially for the first round of the Champions Cup next week too. The likes of Andrew Porter, Joe McCarthy, Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier have started the last four weeks. It's unlikely that the IRFU will sign off on them starting a fifth week in a row away to Bristol so that could impact Leinster's chances.
moreMatch Preview: Ireland vs Australia
by Jim O'Connor, 2024-11-29
Last week was a lot more like it.
A well stocked Fiji team was beaten comprehensively by Ireland as they finally put together an eighty-minute performance. The team was freshened up by the new caps and played some nice rugby to score four tries in each half. Fiji's discipline was hopeless of course and their desire to physically smash Ireland players was exploited as they were all over the place defensively.
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A well stocked Fiji team was beaten comprehensively by Ireland as they finally put together an eighty-minute performance. The team was freshened up by the new caps and played some nice rugby to score four tries in each half. Fiji's discipline was hopeless of course and their desire to physically smash Ireland players was exploited as they were all over the place defensively.
moreMatch Preview: Ireland vs Fiji
by Jim O'Connor, 2024-11-22
Ireland got back to winning ways last weekend against Argentina but it was far from a performance to quell doubts about their future prospects.
The first half was decent for Ireand while being far from perfect. Ireland scored three fine tries and defended well to keep Argentina out before half-time. Argentina improved in the second half but Ireland were dreadful as they failed to score. They started making poor choices and executing those poor choices badly. Handling and rucking errors crept in and they fell apart.
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The first half was decent for Ireand while being far from perfect. Ireland scored three fine tries and defended well to keep Argentina out before half-time. Argentina improved in the second half but Ireland were dreadful as they failed to score. They started making poor choices and executing those poor choices badly. Handling and rucking errors crept in and they fell apart.
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